so who's the fashion consultant?

entwisi · 19-02-2006, 12:15

Driving home from manchester yesterday it reminded me of a question I've never managed to find the answer to.

Who and why decided that orthodox Jews dress as they do in 1940's style? Even the ladies wear dresses straight out of the 40's. And why the strange sideburn thing?

Can anyone enlighten me?

Ian

garinda · 19-02-2006, 12:22

Many members of the Haredi community still maintain styles of dress similar to those worn by their 18th and 19th century European ancestors. Many men have beards, most dress in dark suits, virtually all wear a kippah at all times and generally a wide-brimmed hat (typically black) during prayer and outside. Women adhere to strict interpretations of tzeniut (modesty, particularly in dress), and hence wear long skirts and armsleeves, high necklines and a form of head covering when married (scarves, snoods, hats, or wigs).
Hasidic men often follow the specific dress style of their group, which may include elegant frock coats (bekeshes), wide or high fur hats (shtreimels or spodiks) and generally a gartel (a long belt wrapped around the frock) during prayer.

As you can see Orthodox Jewish dress has it's roots in Europe rather than Israel.

garinda · 19-02-2006, 12:25

I thought you wanted me to go shopping with you for the suit you talked about!

garinda · 19-02-2006, 12:37

http://www.pinenet.com/rooster/hasid2.html#HASID2-Q2a

Some more answers about the particular clothes worn.

katex · 19-02-2006, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

And why the strange sideburn thing?

Ian

Always thought that looked kinda' cute

Not the beards though, oh no, no. no. Yuk.

WillowTheWhisp · 19-02-2006, 14:50

The ringlet (It's not actually a sideburn because that would be facial hair and this is head hair which is curled into a dangly ringlet) is derived from a verse in Leviticus (chapter 19 vere 27) about not "rounding off" the corners of their heads. That is interpreted as not cutting short the hair above the ears. It doesn't have to be a ringlet and it doesn't have to dangle down. Some tuck it under their hat but a lot do form it into a dangly ringlet which I suppose shows that they are making a statement about who they are.

entwisi · 19-02-2006, 18:43

Thanks guys, I kinda thought it would be someting to do with respect to those killed in the gas camps. Now I know!

West Ender · 19-02-2006, 22:19

There is a family of haredi Jews who I sometimes see in a large park in Warrington. The dad has side ringlets and always wears a long black coat and the little boy, who's about 8, wears velvet knee-breeches. I bet that child grows up tough - he'll need to if he's going to survive in Warrington.

Tealeaf · 20-02-2006, 17:17

Garinda appears to know alot about this mob. I wonder why? Is this possibly because this is him in the middle of it all?

garinda · 21-02-2006, 00:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

Garinda appears to know alot about this mob. I wonder why? Is this possibly because this is him in the middle of it all?

I admit I do like being the centre of attention on the dance floor, but that isn't me, I use my hands more, and do less stomping.

I was only drawn to this thread because I have a first class honours degree in fashion and textiles, and thought Entwisi might need to know what hemlines are acceptable this Spring.